It was another hard fought game for the Argos’ men’s soccer team but a late goal by defender Marius Theodorsen lifted Great Falls past Bellevue University (NE) in the Unaffiliated Conference Championship this evening. The win advances Great Falls to the first round of the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in school history. Not only did the Argos win their first conference title but the team also redeemed their loss to the Bruins in the semifinals of last year’s Unaffiliated Conference tournament.
Great Falls tied the game midway through the first half when junior Ryan O’Neil tucked away a goal to the far-side netting in the 25th minute. Christian Johansen, who slotted a pass past the Bruin defense to O’Neil, was credited with the assist. The teams went into the halftime tied 1-1 as Bellevue’s James Evison converted a penalty kick one minute prior to O’Neil’s goal.
“Christian played a nice ball behind the defense and Ryan took care of the rest as he has done throughout this season,” said Head Coach Paul Zazenski.
After battling back to tie the match, Great Falls found the game winner 25 minutes into the second half when sophomore defender Marius Theodorsen gathered the ball off of a scramble in the box and bent the ball past Bruin goalkeeper Sebastian Narvaez. It was Theodorsen’s first goal of the season.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time,” referred Zazenski to Theodorsen’s first goal of the season. “The ball bounced around the box off of a corner kick and Marius did a great job to settle it and place a nice shot around the goalkeeper.”
For the remainder of the game, Great Falls played very defensively, pushing the 6’ 3” O’Neil to defense to help win balls out of the air. The tactical decision paid off as the game ended 2-1 and the Argos captured their first conference title and first trip to nationals.
Great Falls outshot Bellevue 5-3 on goal and had eight corner kicks to two for the Bruins. Argo goalkeeper Zach Johnson made two saves in the contest.
“Again, I am so proud of the team and their effort and performance today,” explained Zazenski. “It was another tough game and the boys played hard to overcome the early deficit.”
“We are all proud of what this program has accomplished in such a short time. Coach Tim Brooks did a great job building the program that I inherited this year. It is an historic day for UGF men’s soccer,” continued Zazenski.
This is the fourth season of existence for the men’s program that was started by former head coach Tim Brooks who left after last season to take over the men’s program at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL.
Great Falls will play the first round of the NAIA National Tournament next Saturday, November 20.
“We should find out early this coming week who and where we will play in the first round match,” stated Zazenski.
2010 Unaffiliated Men’s Soccer Independent Tournament
Friday, November 12, 2010
12:00 p.m. – #2 Great Falls defeats #3 Rocky Mountain, 1-0 (2OT)
2:30 p.m. – #1 Bellevue defeats #4 Westminster, 2-1
Saturday, November 13, 2010
5:00 p.m. – #2 Great Falls defeats #1 Bellevue, 2-1 [Championship game]